Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 151 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s 119 helped India grab honors on Day 1 of the Vizag Test vs England.
Skipper Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first on a dusty wicket which looks promising to deliver a result.
India did not get off to a great start as they lost Lokesh Rahul – who was included in place of opener Gautam Gambhir – for just naught and Murali Vijay in quick succession. Within first five overs, the host were reduced to 22/2. Stuart Broad and the comeback man James Anderson were among the wicket-takers for the visitors.
Came into bat next was India’s in-form batsman Chesteshwar Pujara and Kohli himself. It wasn’t much long before misunderstanding between the pair raised few concerns in the Indian dressing room. Fortunately, due to some sloppy attempts, the visitors denied themselves a chance to get an important break-through. At lunch, India stood tall at 92/2.
Post first session, the pair then went on for an onslaught, slamming poor deliveries for boundaries and dodging the good ones, making sure they don’t lose a wicket. In no time, both of them reached their fifties and were then eyeing the triple-digit. Soon, Virat Kohli was gifted a chance after a shot ball from Ben Stokes, that was pulled poorly, went straight up in the air but couldn’t find the safe hands of Adil Rashid. The hosts went into tea at 210/2.
Minutes after the third session, Pujara brought up his 10th hundred and that too in style, smacking Adil Rashid over mid-wicket for a maximum. Moments later, Kohli too held his head high as he completed his 14th century, 7th as a captain and second vs England.
Anderson, England’s highest wicket-taker in white jersey, got a breakthrough as he dismissed Pujara for 119, breaking the massive 226-run partnership. Kohli then joined hands with Ajinkya Rahane to proceed the innings. The duo played really well as the odd boundary was coming in without much trouble. Rahane, after scoring 23, nicked one off Anderson, granting him his third wicket of the innings. Before the end of the day’s play, captain Kohli brought up his 150, and along with Ravichandran Ashwin stayed not out till stumps.
India ended day one on 317/4; Virat Kohli 151*(241), Cheteshwar Pujara 119(204), James Anderson 3/44.